A Very Merry Christmas to You!

We slogged through this year like most Americans, wishing things were better, but glad they weren't worse. Your author made it (for a change) with no hits, no runs and no errors. And with the last piece of titanium removed from my collar bone, I feel a like a young beagle puppy looking for its first rabbit: Really eager to go get one, but not sure what it looks like or how fast it's going to be.

So I decided to join a high tech start up called BlackRidge Technologies. I'm one of a half a dozen founders trying to develop an innovative approach to securing networked resources from cyber attack. I dove in with both feet, even though I know little to nothing about steganographic header splicing and syn packet authentication, but if you understand what I just said, we want to talk to you. As far as syn packets go, I always thought they occurred in the back seat of Dad's 63 Chevy. The only thing that isn't fun about the company is the pay plan. (Noda) At least I get founders stock…. What stings, though, are the week-long trips to DC once a month on my own nickel. Ouch. We're seeking $15M of A Round funding in a VC market that is frozen by the credit crunch. Once we find funding, the real fun, and a pay check, will start. We're close though: Cisco wants in. Oops, I think we need a good attorney.

   The Whitman Kids: Jill, Rhonda, Blake and Jay

One low cost bit of family fun was the Miller Family Reunion in Chinook, WA. Rhonda's cousins threw the party, which was great fun. The various cousins, age 7 to 57, had a great time, while everyone caught up on all things family. Amazingly, no one uttered a cross word! How many families could make that claim after two days of non-stop eating and drinking? Not many. (It was only because Rhonda's mother was not invited ….but I'm not one to gossip)

In February, we returned to St Kitts. Sadly, the Four Seasons Nevis was pretty much destroyed by a hurricane late last year, so we were forced to substitute the St. Kitts Marriott. We didn't trade up, that's for sure. Okay, I'm whining. We did some diving, which was nice, although a recent hurricane stirred up the water a bit. At one point Kelly surprised a sea turtle, coming within inches. The critter executed the most amazing back flip I've ever seen, before swooshing away. Kelly insists it actually loved her, and was just showing off. Still, I avoided the hazy water left in the wake of the turtle. You never know. Later we repeated our 2006 climb up the 3800 foot Mt Liamugia volcano. You have to use roots and vines to pull yourself up the near vertical trail. Great exercise. Rhonda swears it was easier this time. My opinion is that she was just showing off because she's been going to Jazzercise four times a week. She says that I should try it. I say I'll try it when I can no longer run up Windy Hill. After a week at the Marriott, we moved to the extraordinary Ottley's Plantation, a sugar plantation built in the 1600s with a stunning view of the Caribbean. I normally have a "no repeat" policy on vacations. The only exception is Ottley's. Ali says she that some day she wants to get married there. Yikes. However, after being away for three years, upon spotting us, the staff ran across the room to give us a hug, even remembering our first names. A+! God I love that place!


                    Ottley's Plantation, St. Kitts                                              Our House at Ottley's

In June Ali graduated from high school. We were a bit concerned, because she had a long term pain issue that caused her to miss around half of her last semester. Amazingly, her grades turned out to be excellent, and in September she sailed off to Johnson and Wales University in Denver to start a B.S. in Business with a Culinary emphasis. For you ex Zoomies, this was called Colorado Women's College back in the day. She could not be happier: great school, loves her classes, has a boy friend…. Wait a minute. Back up! What this boy friend stuff? Alas, Rhonda tells me to calm down. "He's a nice boy, tall, good looking, goes to church and is on the baseball team". So you've met him then, I asked, incredulous. "Sure, on Skype." High tech, welcome to the next decade Dad.

I was wondering how this empty nest thing was doing to go down with the Mom. Not bad, not bad, although she did fly Ali back for a weekend to see Rent with the original cast up in San Fran. Kelly joined us for dinner and the show. It was really a Girl's Night Out. Dad fidgeted through the whole thing, while the girls went wild. (Do you know all of the words to the songs in Rent?) You'd think the Beatles had come back or something.
                                                                                                  The Lady Lindsey, St Thomas

In July we vacationed with Ali and Kelly in St Thomas, during Ali's last Summer at home before going off to college. This was Ali's call, I probably would have gone somewhere else. Still, it was the Ritz Carlton. The best part, we all agreed, was the Lady Lindsey, a stunning 65 foot catamaran operated by the Ritz. We took the Lady on a terrific snorkeling trip to Virgin Gorda in the British Virgins. (Notice I let this opportunity for sport at the expense of the Brits pass…) On the way back from Virgin Gorda, a brief but ferocious squall slammed us with hurricane strength winds. Visibility went to zero, the winds howled and the horizontal rain felt like bullets! Fantastic, what a rush! Only the crew panicked. But I think we're done with the Caribbean for a while. The places are all starting to all look alike. That sounds harsh, doesn't it? Where's your gratitude Wentzel? Still, we all voted for Rome as our next destination. Jeez, I need a job that pays!

Daughter Kelly kisses her Levy Strauss badge every morning before going to work. After two sets of lay-offs, she's the last junior attorney in the legal department still standing. She has been given increasing amounts of responsibilities and is looking for a promised promotion early next year. Hang in there, girl! Kevin's business is also doing well in the Great Recession. I guess 19-29 year old males will always want to go faster than the rest of us. His factory is pretty much at full production, so he just bought his first house. (Hmmmm. Wonder if he still leaves all the lights on when he's not around?) It's a good time to be buying a house, though. He got his on sale…50% off.

Rhonda managed to sail through the Great Recession to the Great Recovery. I guess with the economy shedding jobs like crazy, people need competent financial advice more than ever. I am extremely proud of her. Rhonda's goal is to provide her clients with the absolute best service across all aspects of their financial lives at the lowest possible cost. It doesn't get any better. She sleeps soundly ever night. Well….except for some guy's occasional snoring.

A Very Merry Christmas,